San Juan shelter offers hand to women in crisis

Casa de Kathy offers a wide selection of items. ALAINNA YAN, FOR THE REGISTER

Kathy's House in San Juan Capistrano helps homeless women and children by providing a safe home and shelter.

The nonprofit was inspired by Kathy Sterling, a loving wife and mother of three daughters, who died from cancer at age 41. Sterling's compassion for women in need encouraged the creation of Kathy's House as a place that offers physical, emotional and spiritual assistance to women in crisis. Since the nonprofit began in 1997, it helped about 310 women and children. Founded on Christian principles, Kathy's House is a transitional-living shelter for women and children.

In December 2012, it opened up a thrift store called Casa de Kathy, located at 31901 Camino Capistrano. There, the group has raised about $43,000 in sales, which all went toward the shelter. The store offers a variety of items, brands, and clothes for men, women and children. The thrift store has been the main financial supporter of the shelter.

The Capistrano Valley News asked Annie Lavalsit, Kathy's House case manager, about her work with the nonprofit.

Q. What is your role in the charity?

A. I work as a case manager with the women, offering guidelines for maintaining and operating a stable home. A big part of a stable home is the women gaining knowledge of who they are in Christ Jesus. I also train the women through a six-month internship at Casa de Kathy Thrift Store. There are many steps, programs and relationships that we offer the women to overcome and become independent and self-sufficient.

Q. In your opinion, what is the best part of working with Kathy's House?

A. The best part of working at Kathy's House is seeing the women grow in their walk with Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and into freedom from addiction and abuse.

Q. How have some women and children changed after joining Kathy's House?

A. In the short time I have been with Kathy's House, I have seen a single mother walk into independence from domestic violence. She grew into a faith and hope in her future. She gained self-sufficiency and independence to successfully transition into being able to support her daughters on her own.

Q. What does the charity want to achieve?

A. Kathy's House mission is to share the love of God by providing housing to women and children in need – offering guidelines for maintaining and operating a stable home. We are committed to providing a safe environment that contributes to the continuation of rebuilding and healing lives. Our goal is to be a stepping stone for women and families to move into independence and self-sufficiency.

Q. Throughout the years, how has Kathy's House grown?

A. Over the years – with help from founder and director Diana Spitz – Kathy's House has grown to meet the needs of the community. Most recently our services have expanded through the launch of Casa de Kathy thrift store. The thrift store financially supports the shelter. The women learn job skills while interning at the store. We have been able to hire employees to facilitate the programs to the women at the shelter.

Additionally, with the public awareness of domestic violence and homelessness coming into the forefront, we partner with other community organizations to offer relevant resources. In this way we can make a difference in the lives of women and children in need.

Casa de Kathy offers a wide selection of items. ALAINNA YAN, FOR THE REGISTER
Annie Lavalsit is the case manager and intern trainer for Kathy's House. ALAINNA YAN, FOR THE REGISTER
Casa de Kathy is located off of Camino Capistrano. ALAINNA YAN, FOR THE REGISTER
The Casa de Kathy thrift store opened December 2012. PHOTO COURTESY OF ANNIE LAVALSIT

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